Mental health is a big part of excelling in life. Any condition that threatens the health of your mind ultimately impacts your body. This is usually the case for ADHD patients who struggle with relationships and self-confidence.

Without properly understanding what the condition entails, it is easy to pass off criticism to patients with this disorder. However, ADHD patients still have a shot at a normal life, with proper coping and management skills.

​What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

It is a chronic disorder that features hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and attention deficits. Although this disease is termed as adult ADHD, it is a mental health disorder that manifests different persistent problems right from childhood. The condition may even be prolonged through to adulthood. For some patients, ADHD can be cured as they approach adulthood. However, in other cases, the condition can be a life-long problem.

Causes of ADHD

Research is still ongoing to properly determine the exact cause of ADHD. At best, there are only several risk factors that increase the risk of this mental disorder. Some of them include:

1. Genetics – if you have other members of your family who have or had ADHD, chances are high that you will get it too. In fact, if any of your blood relatives have any other mental disorder, it is still a risk factor for you to get ADHD.
2. Exposure to lead – this is an environmental factor that exposes children to the probability of getting ADHD.
3. Developmental problems – as a child, you need every aspect of your body to be functioning properly. If at any point the central nervous system is problematic, there is the possibility of getting ADHD as you grow up.
4. Nature of pregnancy – the behaviors of a mother during pregnancy can affect the health of a child long term. If your mother used to drink alcohol a lot, smoke, and use other drugs, there is a risk factor for you to have ADHD.
5. Premature birth – premature babies are exposed to many risks, including that if getting ADHD.

How to Know You Have ADHD

ADHD (for parents) is important, not only for raising children properly but also for anticipating the outcomes of this condition as they grow up. As patients grow, ADHD symptoms usually decrease. Unfortunately, it is not similar for all patients. Some people have it worse in adulthood. The best way to find out whether you have ADHD is to consider the symptoms, such as the following:

1. Impulsiveness
2. Problems with prioritizing
3. Lack of concentration
4. Hot tempers
5. Disorganization
6. Poor time management skills
7. Frequent mood swings
8. Difficulty following through with plans and commitments
9. Inability to multi-task
10. Low tolerance to frustrations and let downs.

When to See A Doctor

As an adult, the diagnosis of ADHD is difficult. Some of the signs exhibited during ADHD episodes are similar to those everyone experiences during panic attacks or mood changes. Ideally, it would take a severe symptom of ADHD to get you to an emergency room to determine the underlying cause. Even at an ER near you, a doctor may have to trace back the condition to your childhood.

That said, figuring out when to see your doctor is important. Some of the pointers that you need to see a doctor, perhaps in a 24-hour emergency care unit include progressive symptoms. At some points in your life, the symptoms mentioned above will manifest so strongly as to disrupt your normal life. The repeated occurrence of those symptoms should be alarming enough to convince you to talk to a physician. Aside from that, see your doctor when you notice:

1. Suicidal attempts
2. Poor or declining performance at school or work.
3. Unstable relationships all around – with friends, family, and significant others.
4. Frequent accidents – especially car accidents on the road.
5. Signs of substance abuse or addiction – including alcohol and other drugs.

Summary

ADHD is a serious mental health problem that requires gracious support from loved ones, tons of therapy, and other treatments. The sooner you find out you have the disease, the better it is for you to learn how to counter it before too much damage has been incurred in your life and that of those you love.